Family and Other Strangers

These twenty short stories and ten poems cover many situations and environments:&quote;The Star Ruby.&quote; Precocious and nasty with reason, a young girl covets her grandma's ring.&quote;The General's Darlings.&quote; A resourceful soldier starts a chorus and is amazed to discover it's become important to him.&quote;High Ground.&quote; A boy rides from Chicago to Indiana to bring back Thanksgiving poultry with his brother-in-law and an African-American.&quote;Uncommon Versatility.&quote; An artist of many styles who looks like Sasquatch.&quote;Julie's Retirement.&quote; He retires and settles things after being feted by strangers.&quote;His Secret Place.&quote; Seeking enlightenment in all the wrong places.&quote;Skin Deep.&quote; She uniquely escapes abuse.&quote;Family Traditions.&quote; A woman attends a reunion amid painful memories.&quote;Reflections.&quote; Retribution and horror in an American town.&quote;Shirley's Story.&quote; A lascivious man learns to curb his appetite.&quote;A Two-Christmas Story.&quote; Will love conquer despair and stubborn ethical positions?&quote;Lost and Found.&quote; What happens when a pet alligator is left in a taxicab?&quote;Theodora's Mirage.&quote; A Death Valley trip and a new driver's terror in a bitter battle of wits.&quote;Like Clockwork.&quote; A wealthy middle-aged woman marries an avaricious young man.&quote;Genevieve's Maturity.&quote; Parents help their daughter choose to control over her own destiny.&quote;Anna Are You Mine at Last?&quote; He lost Anna to another, but can he win her back?&quote;Ben and the Dragon.&quote; A clever young man perpetuates a fairy tale.&quote;Missing Ariel.&quote; First the son, now the wife is missing, but will they find her before evil does?&quote;The Sports Car Rally.&quote; He's unprepared for the surreal feeling of turning over in an open car, and its aftermath.&quote;When Half-Spent Was the Night.&quote; A man learns his effect on peace after years of regret.The poetry, too, captures different moods.&quote;Final Garden.&quote; A gardener's lament after starting from scratch too many times.&quote;Conversation With My Cat.&quote; Admiration for a friend, and a curious desire.&quote;Old Lion by the Riverbank.&quote; How he copes once past his prime.&quote;Overlooked Crop.&quote; A serendipitous find.&quote;Last Visitor.&quote; A mystic vision of a desirable end to things.&quote;Old Songs&quote; (SETI at Home). The wonder of celestial eavesdropping.&quote;Solo Walk.&quote; Missing a lover who has gone.&quote;Sanctuary.&quote; Rejoicing at home after braving the elements.&quote;Revolution.&quote; About adoration and love.&quote;Loss of the First Mate.&quote; About a loved one who has passed away.